TRACKS: Elkins Gets Third Win of the Year at Auburndale Speedway
19 July 1999
By Gene CraneAuburndale, FL--Defending champion Richard Elkins Jr. rebounded from disappointment one week ago to capture the win in the 25 lap Limited Late Model feature at Auburndale Speedway. Elkins trailed leader Ray Cuzzone, who had already visited Victory Lane earlier in the night during heat race action. Cuzzone was poised to score his first feature win of '99 when the car began to slow on lap 20. Elkins was able to motor by and went on to the win. Cuzzone dropped to ninth at the checkers but can look to the night as a turn around in his season having led the first 20 circuits. Bryan Storer moved up to finish second followed by heat race winner Ollie Harbin, Mitch Hawk Jr. and Tommy King.
The Top Cop Racing Association paid a visit to the quarter mile oval with Rodney Tower going away the winner in Cruiser Division. Early race leader Gary Lush finished second followed by Steve Wagner, Al Doane and Ricky Beasley. Bob Hart led the way to the checkers in the Gold Shield Division feature. Pam Manning kept Rick Penton at bay for second. Penton was third with Phil Riles and Chris Hollenbeck rounding out the top five.
Dave Williamson made his first trip the Winners Circle for 1999 in the 25 lap Street Stock feature. The two-car breakaway of Williamson and McCaw paced the field for the 25 lap distance and was joined in the closing laps by Michael King. The running order remained unchanged in the final sprint to the checkers, Williamson, McCaw and King first second and third. Billy Jones ran at the front of the pack early in the event but faded to fourth. Larry Chumney gathered his car up three times during the final lap to hold on for fifth.
The 25 lap Modified Min Stock feature went to Eugene Davidson as he held off Dusty Robinson for the win. Davidson's son Tony brought his half of the team home third ahead of Wayne Weaver and Jay Kaminski.
Brian Eden took the win in the 15 lap V8 Pure Stock feature. Both Eden and second place finisher Ron Reed improved upon their top finishes for the year by five positions. Rick Bacon went to the line third followed by Bob Gorsuch and William Hawkins.
The final feature for the night, the 15 lap 4 Cylinder Pure Stock feature was won by Tim McKenzie by just a nose at the line. Scott Taylor was second and George Gorham finished in third. The completion of the top five consisted of Chris Narramore and Matthew Craig.
Racing continues next Saturday night when the TBARA Winged Sprints make their first appearance at Auburndale Speedway in several years. The Street Stock, Modified Mini Stocks, V8 Pure Stocks and 4 Cylinder Pure Stocks will also be in action. The Dwarf Car Racing Association will also be present for a full lineup of racing on the quarter mile. The month of July draws to a close on July 31st with the Southern Pro Trucks joining all five regular divisions. Grandstand gates open at 5 PM and racing gets the green flag at 7PM.
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